2014 Oral Health and Well-Being Survey

Shining a Spotlight on Oral Health’s Connection to Overall Well-Being

As the leading brand of dental coverage in the United States, Delta Dental covers the smiles of 62 million Americans. We know firsthand the importance of oral health and its connection to overall well-being.

To shine a spotlight on these important topics, we commissioned a national public opinion poll. Working with Morpace, an independent market research firm, we surveyed 1,003 adults across the United States. This sample size yields a margin of error of ±3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

We asked Americans about their opinions and their habits related to oral health. We explored topics both serious and light-hearted. And, we analyzed the results to uncover connections between oral health and overall well-being.

Here’s what we found:

Good oral health is strongly linked with overall well-being.

Dental coverage contributes to dental visits, which are linked to good oral health. Americans’ dental habits, including regular dental visits and flossing, could be improved.

Oral health issues and educational opportunities persist today.

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Americans report their oral health as strong. In fact, four of five Americans (81 percent) rate their oral health as good, very good or excellent – about the same number (83 percent) rate their overall well-being similarly.

Further analysis of the data suggests a significant correlation between strong oral health and strong overall well-being. Americans are nearly twice as likely to report their overall well-being as good or better if they report their oral health as good or better.

Overall Oral Health

Very good35%

Excellent15%

Fair13%

Poor6%

Good31%

% Reporting Overall Well-Being as Good or Better

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

90%

70%

50%

30%

10%

Americans who report

oral health as good or better

Americans who report

oral health as fair or poor

Oral Health and Well-Being

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Have Unresolved Oral Health Issues

No

73%

Yes

27%

Oral Health and Overall Health ConnectionAmericans understand a general connection between oral health and overall health, but they lack understanding of specific connections. For example, just over half of adults (55 percent) realize there’s a connection between heart disease and gum disease, and only 44 percent are aware of the connection between diabetes and gum disease.

Agreement with:

0 20 40 60 80 100

Connection between oral health and overall health

Connection between heart disease and

gum disease

Connection between diabetes and gum disease

83% 15% 2%

55% 40% 5%

44% 51% 5%

Strongly agree/agree

Neutral

Strongly disagree/disagree

Unresolved Oral Health IssuesWhile most Americans report good oral health, more than one of four Americans (27 percent) report unresolved oral health issues. Those with issues cite cost (62 percent) and fear of the procedure (23 percent) as top reasons for not having treatment.

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While dental visit habits are generally good, most Americans admit to taking time off from regular checkups at some point in their lives. In fact, almost half of Americans (47 percent) have gone three or more years without seeing a dentist.

Nearly two of three Americans (65 percent) visit the dentist at least once a year. Americans with dental coverage are much more likely to have regular dental visits than those who lack coverage.

Dental Visits in America

Longest Time Gone Without Seeing a Dentist

Less than1 year

3-4 years

1-2 years

5-10 years

More than10 years

28%

25%

22%

12%

12%

% Visiting the Dentist at Least Once a Year

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

90%

70%

50%

30%

10%

Americans with dental coverage

Americans without dental

coverageNote: The sum of the non-rounded numbers for responses of three or more years is 47 percent.

Dental AnxietyAbout six of 10 Americans (58 percent) indicate some fear or reluctance in visiting the dentist. Of those who say they have fear or reluctance, concerns about additional care and cost of that care are most frequently cited. Still, despite the fear or reluctance that many Americans feel about visiting the dentist, more feel refreshed (57 percent) than relieved (43 percent) after a dental visit.

Fear/Reluctance to Visit Dentist? Concerns about Visiting Dentist

No

42%

Yes, very much

26%

Yes, some fear/ reluctance

32%

58%

You are afraid to find out what oral care you might need. 41%

You can’t afford the care. 40%

You are afraid of shots that may be needed for numbing. 34%

You feel helpless or lacking control when a dentist is working on you. 33%

You had a bad past experience. 31%

The dentist is not caring or sensitive. 17%

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Most Americans brush their teeth twice or more a day. Still, nearly one-third of Americans (31 percent) do not, which means they aren’t brushing enough. On average, Americans brush their teeth for 112 seconds compared to the recommended 120 seconds.

Nearly six of 10 Americans brush their teeth as soon as they get up in the morning and at bedtime.

Dental Habits at Home

Frequency of Brushing(Times Per Day)

0 20 40 60 80 100

One

Zero

Two

Three or more

2%

29%

55%

14%

Times of Day Typically Brush Teeth

0 20 40 60 80 100

Bedtime

As soon as I get up in

the morning

Afterlunch

Afterdinner

Afterbreakfast

59%

58%

38%

21%

17%

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Only four of 10 Americans (41 percent) floss at least once daily (the recommended frequency), and 20 percent never floss.

Note: Total of 101 percent is a function of rounding.

More than one of five Americans (23 percent) has gone two or more days without brushing their teeth in the past year.

Longest Gone Without Brushing(Past Year)

0 20 40 60 80 100

Longer than a week

12 hours

24 hours

2 days

3 days

4-5 days

6-7 days

46%

31%

12%

4%

2%

2%

3%

Frequency of Flossing

0 20 40 60 80 100

A few times a year

A few times a month

A few times a week

At least once a day

Never 20%

41%

24%

11%

5%

Dental Coverage is Linked with Overall Well-Being

Dental Coverage

Dental Visits

Overall Well-Being

Oral Health

Adults who visit the dentist once a year are 37 percent more likely to report good or better oral health.

Adults who report good oral health are almost twice as likely to report good or better overall well-being.

Adults with dental coverage are 50 percent more likely to visit the dentist at least once a year.

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It’s the SmileAccording to the Delta Dental Oral Health and Well-Being survey, a smile is the most important physical feature that contributes to a person’s attractiveness. And, more than six of 10 Americans (64 percent) say a smile has some bearing on a person’s overall success.

More than six of 10 Americans (64 percent) say they like their smile, and almost a third (31 percent) wouldn’t change a thing about it. The fact that most Americans like their smiles is a good sign, and Delta Dental is committed to providing access to great oral health care and education so Americans can continue to feel good about their own personal smiles.

For more results from the Delta Dental Oral Health and Well-Being Survey, visit deltadental.com.

© 2014 Delta Dental Plans Association